Kilspindie

Kilspindie is definitely one of the shortest layouts that you will find on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list, but that doesn’t mean it is a walkover, not by any stretch. 

 

It is only 5,500 yards from the tips, but depending on the wind direction coming across from the North Sea, it can feel like a much longer walk. 

 

The club was founded in 1899 after a split with the old Luffness Golf Club, and the course has remained relatively unchanged since then. Several holes run along the coastline of the North Sea, just to add another element of danger to your round. 

 

  

Visit the Kilspindie website here.  

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The club was originally formed more than a century and a half ago, back in 1867. Then, it was known as Luffness Golf Club, and the course was situated on land now in the Nature Reserve.  

 

It was the 1890s when the club split, with Luffness New (also on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list) and Kilspindie being born out of it. Kilspindie was founded in 1899. 

 

The course is one of the shortest you will find, and it has barely changed over its 125-year history. It remains a challenge, thanks to the sea breeze that often gusts up.  

In a region that is well versed in championship quality golf courses, Kilspindie is easy to miss. At just 5,500 yards, it certainly does not have the length of some of the layouts around it. However, it is set on the coastline and offering views across to Fife and out to the North Sea, Kilspindie is one that should be on your list to play. From the par 3 opener that takes you away from the handsome old clubhouse, right the way to the last, which is classed as a very short par 4, Kilspindie charms and surprises at every turn. 

 

5,494 yards from the back tees. That’s all! And it all begins with a par 3. At just 150 yards, this is a gentle opening hole according to the card. However, with three greenside pot bunkers, club selection is crucial. Find one of those and your round could be off to a bad start. The 2nd is the only par 5 on this Par 69 layout, and measure more than 510 yards. It is the first of several holes that play right along the coastline, and there are also five bunkers to contend with along the way. Don’t miss your drive right, otherwise you’ll be reaching into your bag for another golf ball. 

 

3 and 4 also run along the coast, and are both tricky par 4s. In the right conditions, and with a wind behind, most might take a crack at the 5th green. It is only 290 yards to the centre from the back tees. And there is plenty of space left of the green for those aiming to properly give it a go. If the wind is into your face on 5, then you’ll have it behind you on the 280-yard par 4 6th. Another driveable hole for the longer hitters, but anything too long could be in trouble. There is the 7th tee and not much else behind the green. 

 

The 8th is the picture-perfect par 3 at Kilspindie. Played across the bay, and with danger on all sides, there are glorious views out to sea. Don’t get distracted though, as a good shot is required to find the putting surface. The 9th brings the front side of the course to a close with one of the widest fairways on the property. It narrows the closer you get to the green, and there is plenty of sand on route as well.  

 

The back nine begins with a par 3, one that has five greenside bunkers around a square putting surface. The green is raised slightly, and must be found if you’re going to avoid making anything worse than a par. 11 and 12 are two more short par 4s that throw up birdie chances, with the 13th being the last par 3 on the card. It is the longest of the par 3s at Kilspindie, but it is still only 180 yards from the tips. A long green is guarded by three bunkers.  

 

The closing stretch at Kilspindie features five par 4s. 14 is gentle at just 340 yards, while the 15th is the longest par 4 on the course. At 440 yards, and often playing into the wind, this may well feel like a par 5. 16 is also lengthy, before two shorter holes to finish. Depending on the wind direction, both 17 and 18 could be driveable, but you must have a go at reaching the green on the finishing hole. At just 250 yards, it might even be just a 3-wood with the wind behind. Left is the safe play, over to the 1st but anything right will be in trouble and possibly even through the clubhouse window...

Where is Kilspindie located?  
Kilspindie Golf Club is, like many of the venues on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list, on the East Lothian coastline of the country. It sits next to Craigielaw, and in the same area of land as Luffness, and the three courses of Gullane. Kilspindie is just outside the town of Aberlady, just off the A198 which runs between Tyninghame and Tranent. The Scottish capital of Edinburgh is just under 20 miles to the west of Kilspindie. 

 

Longniddry and Drem are the two nearest train stations to Kilspindie, but both are around four miles from the golf club. For international visitors to the area, Edinburgh Airport is easily the closest. It is also the biggest and busiest airport in the country, servicing around 15 million passengers annually. 

What golf facilities does Kilspindie offer?  
Due to the lack of space in the area (hence why it is only a 5,500 yard course), there is not a driving range at Kilspindie. There is a short game area, including a putting green, by the clubhouse for golfers to practice on before taking to the course.  

What are the green fees at Kilspindie?  
The price of a green fee at Kilspindie changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. 

 

For more information on current green fees at Kilspindie visit their website here. 

 

  

Visit the Kilspindie website here. 

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage.